Gauguin Where do we come from

French post-impressionist Paul Gauguin is among other famous for spending time with Van Gogh in Arles until the later cut off part of his ear. Works like The Painter of Sunflowers are from this period. He also spent a considerable amount of his life in the tropics, especially Tahiti. His paintings from there are among his most famous and recognizable images.

One of these is “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?” which was painted by Gauguin in the period 1897-98. Gauguin himself put the title in French in the upper left corner of the painting (D'où Venons Nous / Que Sommes Nous / Où Allons Nous). The original title does not contain question marks or dashes. Gauguin himself stated that the painting should be read from right to left, and that the three major groups in the painting illustrated the three questions posed. Starting to the far right, the three women with a child represent the beginning of life. In the middle, the group symbolizes the daily life of young adulthood. The final group was described by Gauguin himself as "an old woman approaching death appears reconciled and resigned to her thoughts". At her feet we can see, "a strange white bird...represents the futility of words." Meanwhile, the blue idol that can be seen in the background represents the beyond. The painting is overall done with Gauguin’s characteristic flamboyant use of colors, and deep brush strokes.

Paul Gauguin himself said of this painting: “I believe that this canvas not only surpasses all my preceding ones, but that I shall never do anything better—or even like it.” “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?” is today on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, United States or have your own oil painting reproductions of his works.